Okahandja is a small town situated 75km north of
Windhoek. It is here that the B1 main
north road has a junction with the B2 main road to
Swakopmund
and the coast. Originally settled by the Herero people, it remains the centre
for the Herero, and is the traditional burial place for their Chiefs.

The name is Okahandja taken from the Herero language and means, "the place
where two rivers converge to form a larger one". The two rivers, the Okakango
and Okamita, are quite small, normally dry and, in the rainy season, drain into
the Okahandja River.

The missionary Johann H. Schmelen visited here in 1827 and noted with
interest the amount of souls that could be converted, but it wasn't until after
1840 when the London Missionary Society had transferred its right to the Rhenish
Missionary Society at Otjikango (Gross Barmen) that Karl Hugo Hahn and Franz H.
Kleinschmidt brought Schmelen's Dream to fruition when they established a
Mission at Okahandja in 1844, which they appropriately named Schmelen's Hope.

During August 1850, while the British explorer Francis Galton was staying
with the Hahn family

at Otjikango, the Nama Warlord Jonker Afrikaner, who was based in Windhoek
attacked the Hereros of Okahandja and slaughtered many of them. Legend has it
that many of the Herero

sort, without
success, to seek refuge and defend themselves on a rocky outcrop, but were
slaughtered and their cattle taken as booty. As you drive along the B1
by-pass, you can see the hill to your east. It's known locally as 'Moordkoppie'
or Murder Hill.

The Germans recognized the importance of the town and built one of the
first of their fortresses in Namibia here, (which no longer exists). It was
from Okahandja that the Herero Uprising began on 11 August 1904, and the
town was under siege for some days and was only relieved by Major Victor Franke and his 2nd
Field Company on 27 January, which just happened to be the Kaiser's birthday.

S Von Bach Dam

Main Street

The German Fort At Okahandja

Presently, the town is a centre for the surrounding cattle and game
farms, and has a growing industrial area to the north of town including one
of the largest abattoirs in Namibia,

Near to Okahandja is the
S. von Bach Dam and
Nature Resort. Camping, water ski-ing. It all happens here. There
are a couple of local ski-clubs, so be sure to contact them if you
want to make new and helpful acquaintances. For the anglers the dam
is stocked with blue-carper, small mouthed yellow-fish, carp,
barbers and large mouthed bass.

Chiefs' Graves

Herero Parade

Herero Parade

Herero Day Parade

Being the centre of the Herero culture it is at Okahandja where
the chiefs are laid to rest and remembered every 23 August, a date
referred to asHerero Day. The tribal chiefs visit
the graves of their ancestors and pay due homage.

Okahandja Local Area Attractions

Thermal Pool

The Gross Barmen Hot Springs Resort is
located about 25km west of Okahandja. The mineral rich thermal waters that
bubble up from deep within the earth are said to have therapeutic values. The
complex makes for a relaxing stay-over. The indoor thermal pool waters are
maintained at 38-40°c. The outdoor
thermal pool has a temperature of about 30°c. There are accommodation
facilities including camp sites, shop, restaurant, bar etc.

Okahandja is the home to 2 of the largest
Wood Carving Markets in Namibia. The Curio stalls can be seen an both the
south entrance to the town and to the northern side nearby where the B1
and B2 road. You can buy just about anything wooden here from attractive
polished fruit bowls to carved animals and even canoes. Be prepared to
do get involved in some heavy bargaining if you pay these vibrant
markets a visit. Time budget 30min+

Herero Chiefs' Grave Complex: These can be
seen in 2 separate location on Heroes' Street. It was Chief Samuel Maharero, who declared
war, on 11 January 1904, against the Imperial German Colonizers of
Namibia and was laid to rest on 23 August 1923 in here Every year on the Sunday nearest to 23 August the Herero
people gather here in ceremonial dress and pay homage to the deceased
Chiefs. Time budget 1hr